The Hilt
The Old Guard Chardonnay
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, USA
A bit more open than most vintages, but it is also very delicious right now. Solomon Hills, Bien Nacido and Sanford & Benedict fruit.
A bit more open than most vintages, but it is also very delicious right now. Solomon Hills, Bien Nacido and Sanford & Benedict fruit.
Mar 20th, 2020
all finesse; nice balance of fruit, mineral, and floral notes with fine cut and no new oak; sourced from Sanford & Benedict, Solomon Hills, and Radian aged 65% in neutral oak and 35% in stainless steel with only 15% MLF; 13% ABV
all finesse; nice balance of fruit, mineral, and floral notes with fine cut and no new oak; sourced from Sanford & Benedict, Solomon Hills, and Radian aged 65% in neutral oak and 35% in stainless steel with only 15% MLF; 13% ABV
May 25th, 2019
Zippy and steely. Nice integration of oak. Acid runs a little high for my taste. Promising future ahead of it. Spin off of Jonata.
Zippy and steely. Nice integration of oak. Acid runs a little high for my taste. Promising future ahead of it. Spin off of Jonata.
May 20th, 20182010 vintage. Santa Barbara County. Chardonnay sourced from 2 vineyards: Sandford & Benedict (55%) and Solomon Hills (45%). From the team behind Jonata. Aged 50% in neutral oak, 25% new oak and 25% stainless steel. Light brilliant yellow. Intense perfumes of white peach, lemon and flowers with a hint of coconut. Concentrated with layers of fruit, a certain minerality and crispy acidity. The oak is present but well-integrated. Long lemon confit finish . This should be even better in a few years.
2010 vintage. Santa Barbara County. Chardonnay sourced from 2 vineyards: Sandford & Benedict (55%) and Solomon Hills (45%). From the team behind Jonata. Aged 50% in neutral oak, 25% new oak and 25% stainless steel. Light brilliant yellow. Intense perfumes of white peach, lemon and flowers with a hint of coconut. Concentrated with layers of fruit, a certain minerality and crispy acidity. The oak is present but well-integrated. Long lemon confit finish . This should be even better in a few years.
Jul 29th, 2017
Mineral, lemon and white peach. While lean and crisp on the palate, there's a certain weight and rich texture.
Mineral, lemon and white peach. While lean and crisp on the palate, there's a certain weight and rich texture.
Apr 22nd, 2016Really delicious chard from down south by way of @jonataestate
Really delicious chard from down south by way of @jonataestate
Dec 9th, 2014
Re-committing to my long review backlog. This one is a perennial favorite for me, and Wayne does a great job from year to year with this central coast chard. More on the honey/peach side of the spectrum, with a light amount of oak and butter. Definitely one (like Aubert) that benefits from a bit of time in the glass and approaching room temp.
Re-committing to my long review backlog. This one is a perennial favorite for me, and Wayne does a great job from year to year with this central coast chard. More on the honey/peach side of the spectrum, with a light amount of oak and butter. Definitely one (like Aubert) that benefits from a bit of time in the glass and approaching room temp.
Aug 9th, 2019
White peach, lemon, racey, minerals and high acid. As it warms the vanilla oak is more present. Well composed but not my go to style.
White peach, lemon, racey, minerals and high acid. As it warms the vanilla oak is more present. Well composed but not my go to style.
Jun 20th, 2018Slightly less zippy than the Vanguard, but still has that acidic core. Drank it over 3 days and it was still crisp and lively on day 3. Would benefit from some age.
Slightly less zippy than the Vanguard, but still has that acidic core. Drank it over 3 days and it was still crisp and lively on day 3. Would benefit from some age.
Apr 26th, 2018